I am nayantara from the batch of 2008 and I'm so sorry for the loss of Arun Rest in Peace

Flashes upon flashes hit me constantly of the times gone by and as sad as I feel, I can’t help but laugh amongst my tears, recounting some of the incredible memories we’ve had together. You made life fun and always brought a smile to anyone who had the fortune of being in your company. When I entered 9th grade as a new kid, you made me feel welcomed forging a friendship that grew deeper with every season that passed by. I really wish we had kept in touch more and I guess that’s going to be the regret that I have to live with. You will live on in my heart and the capsule of happy memories that I look back at.

I’ll end with the last words that you sent me last year

Love you meri jaan ❤️

Requiescat in Pace,

Xoxo

Nikhil

I was fortunate to have studied alongside him in grades 11 and 12. He was one of the more sensitive and creative people I've known, full of insightful, witty quips, but with an empathy-driven intuition on when to use them and when not. My fondest memory will always be the friendly telephone prank we once played on a mutual friend, fitting, since it's also one of my first memories of him.

It's tragic that you left us so soon, bro. But I'll carry my memories of you, and they'll always make me smile. I only wish we'd stayed more in touch after school.

-Sid Sharma

I still remember meeting him for the first time on the football field. We were on opposite teams, and he was exactly the kind of player you wanted to test yourself against—fierce, incredibly fast, and someone who never gave up on a ball.

But what I remember even more is who he was after the final whistle.

Arun was quiet at first and never the loudest person in the room. It took him a little while to open up, but once he did, you saw the person everyone grew to love. He was warm, kind, effortlessly funny, and had a quick wit that could catch you completely off guard. The more comfortable he was around you, the more his personality shone, and he had this way of making people laugh without ever trying too hard.

We weren't the closest of friends, but we shared our school years together, school trips, and countless moments on the football field. Looking back, I realize that not every meaningful friendship is measured by how often you spoke or how close you were. Some people simply leave a lasting impression, and Arun was one of those people for me.

I wish we'd stayed in touch after school. It's one of those things you always think there will be time for.

To Arun's family, thank you for sharing such a genuinely kind soul with all of us. He made a bigger impact than he probably ever knew, and I feel lucky to have known him, even for a chapter of our lives.

Rest easy, Arun. Until we meet again on the other side of the rainbow bridge.

-Aji

I met him when I joined the school in 11th grade, and we remained close friends for several years after that. He was one of the funniest people I knew—always finding a way to make me smile with his kindness, warmth, and wonderful sense of humor. Looking back, I only wish we had stayed in touch over the years.

May his family and friends find the strength to get through this loss.

Rest easy, Arun. Thank you for the laughter and the memories. You will be deeply missed. Om shanti.

-Shivi

Arun and I hadn't really been in touch for years. Like so many school friendships, life simply took us in different directions after Class 12. But hearing of his passing has brought back a flood of memories from that time.

When I think of Arun, I think of the years between class 9th and 12th. I think of us playing football in and after school, almost always ending up on the same team, celebrating goals etc. I remember going over to his house in SP Marg after school, still in our uniforms, playing football and cricket on so many warm afternoons. Probably the highlight was this blurry image after a football tournament in Delhi Cantt with the most epic team name where we had the most fun reaching the finals.

It feels impossible to accept and silly to think there will always be another opportunity to reconnect with people.

Dear Vaco,

Thank you for being an important part of my school years. Thank you for the friendship, the matches, the memories, and the laughter. Though we hadn't met in years, those memories will always be there.

Rest in Peace friend.

My deepest condolences to your family and loved ones. May they find strength and peace during this unimaginable time.

Rest in peace.